Throw Darts

Throwing darts is a matter of consistency and practice, practice, practice! Even if you don't have hours and hours to spare developing your skills, you can still see noticeable improvement by following a few basic steps.

Steps

  1. Pick a dart that's right for you. If you're not a regular player, you may not have a lot of choice in how you pick your darts, as you'll be left to rely upon whatever loaners you can pick up. When choosing your loaners, first make sure that all three darts are of the same weight and design. Buying your own high-quality darts is best, however. See the Tips below for more advice.
    • Check to make sure the flights are all in one piece and at least similar in shape.
    • Check that the tips are not bent (they don't have to be super sharp to stick in most bristle dartboards) and that the shafts (the part to the rear of the dart that holds the flight in place) are screwed into the barrel (the part you grip when you throw).
  2. Stand on the oche (pronounced like 'hockey' minus the 'h', aka the toe-line) with the foot corresponding to which hand you intend to throw with perpendicular to the line. Many oches will be ruled, so take note of where you stand so you can stand there again next time.
  3. Draw an imaginary line from where your toe touches the line perpendicular to the oche. Place your rear foot in a location that distributes your weight easily. If you wobble when you throw, you need to spread your feet further apart!
  4. Stand up straight, shoulders back but comfortable and in line with the center of the board.
  5. You can bend forward (toward the board) slightly at the waist, but you should not sacrifice balance or cause discomfort doing so.
  6. Grip the dart lightly in your throwing hand. There are many different methods for gripping the dart, so choose one that works best for you and remember it. When selecting your grip, consider that you want the dart stable in your hand and parallel to the floor - or tilted slightly upward - upon release. You also want a clean release, so try to keep as little of your fingers touching the dart as possible. Resist holding the dart like a pencil, as the friction of your fingers can cause the dart to veer off target. Some people spread cue chalk on the fingers of the throwing hand to help with grip.
  7. When you throw, move only your throwing arm. Don't hop, bounce, dip, or dive! You want the dart to release at the same point in your throw every time and extra movement will make that nearly impossible! Throw your dart with a smooth, fluid motion. Don't flick or jerk it at the board. You do not need to hurl the dart with great force to make it stick! Always follow through with your hand. This will stop the dart flying left or right. Don't move your head.
  8. Concentrate on throwing the exact same way at the same point for a few throws. Pick a spot and try to hit it. If you don't, that's okay. What you're looking for here is precision, not accuracy. Your hand and eye will slowly correct for your throw as you play, improving your aim.
    • Try to have your eye / throwing hand in a line that is central on the dartboard. All you need to worry about is the height of the throw to hit a 60 (in theory).

Tips

  • Working out your 'finishes' is crucial to winning. You can buy cheat cards with all the combinations from 170 down. i.e. 147 finish could be T20,T19,D15. Or T19,T18,D18. Practice your doubles. This will make it possible to win games, even from 100-200 behind, just because the other player can't finish. It don't matter how high you score. If you can't finish, you can't win.
  • If you can find a specialty darts store, you'll be able to try out different darts before you buy and the staff can make suggestions.
  • If you've got a few bucks to spend, you can buy a set of darts for anywhere from 10 to 150 dollars. Most generic exercise stores will have a few darts on hand. Just look for the ping-pong balls and they should be nearby! Most of the darts you will find here are brass darts costing from 10 to 25 dollars a set. Most beginners tend to do better with a heavier dart, usually something in the 24-26 gram range. Better quality darts, usually made of tungsten, can be had starting at about $40. Because tungsten is denser (heavier) than brass, you can have a thinner dart for the same weight.
  • There is a great book available on this subject at: http://dartstechnique.com/double-out-like-a-pro/
  • Experiment with different flight shapes and shaft length and once you find the right combination you will see a vast improvement in your game.
  • A wrist flick or finger flick will add a little pace and force you to 'finish' pointing at the target.

Warnings

  • Always throw the darts from the oche at the board, never at another person!
  • Make sure that the lane is clear of people, pets, and children before you throw.

Related Articles

You may like

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Throw_Darts&oldid=318804"